IBADAN — GOVERNOR Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo state yesterday defended his decision to send the state Chief Judge, Justice Isaiah Oiakanmi and the Chief Registrar of the State judiciary, Mrs. Gloria Akinrinmade on compulsory leave.
Governor Ladoja speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of a new acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ruth Oyetunde and the inauguration of a four man judicial panel of enquiry into the activities of the two officials of the state judiciary sent on compulsory leave, debunked insinuations that the affected officials were just being witch-hunted by the People Democratic Party (PDP) led government in the state.
The State Governor said “nobody is witch-hunting anybody. I sincerely belief in the separation of power of the three arms of government. The executive is doing their own, the judiciary and legislative are also doing their duties without interference. All the three arms of government must work separately for the good of the people.
“The interest of the people must be paramount in our minds and the judiciary being the last hope of the people must be seen to always been above board. The judiciary must therefore always bear in mind the hopes and aspirations of the people and the needs and requirements of the society while interpreting the law, Governor Ladoja said”.
Performing the inauguration of Justice Lambe Arasi led judicial panel of enquiry, Governor Ladoja said “In the recent past, my office has been inundated with series of petitions against the Headship of the Oyo State Judiciary. The petitions are mainly on the financial impropriety and mal-administration of both the Chief Judge and the Chief Registrar.
"When such petitions come in from highly credible sources who are bold enough to indicate their identities, then, it is pertinent that such petitions be seriously looked into”.
Continuing, he said, “it is not the policy of Oyo State to rush into conclusion without proper investigation. It has therefore become necessary that in order to arm the authorities with facts on ground a panel of enquiry have been set-up to look into the matter”.
According to him, the judicial panel of enquiry under the chairmanship of Hon. Justice L. O. Arasi retired has being given four weeks within which to submit its reports.
Governor Ladoja said that the terms of reference of the panel includes
*To look into, enquire and investigate the allegations against the offices of the Hon. Chief Justice of Oyo State and the Chief Registrar of Oyo State High Court as contained in the following petitions.(i) Petition dated July 2004.(ii) Petition addressed to the Executive Governor, Chairman and members of the Judicial Service Commission of Oyo State and signed by all the Judges of Oyo State High Court except the Honorable Chief Judge.
*To examine the written defence of the Chief Registrar dated 30th September, 2004.*To examine, consider and investigate any other allegation against the Chief Judge and The Registrar, any other staff of the Judicial Service of Oyo State as contained in the petitions under reference or consideration with a view to apportioning blame, if any and to make appropriate recommendation to the Judicial Service Commission and
*To exercise such powers necessary for the purpose of performing their duties and functions and for the due and just determination of any such allegations and for the consideration of all other relevant issues. Other members of the Judicial Panel are (i) Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu(ii) Mrs. L. O. Olapade, Auditor General, Oyo State and(iii) Mrs. Biola Oyewumi, Legal Officer, Oyo State House of Assembly Member/Secretary.
Also an acting Chief Registrar for the State Judiciary was yesterday named. She is Mrs. Boyede Akintola.
